The Impossible Wizard: The Aegis of Merlin Book 1

by James E. Wisher

  Terra shook her head, sending her thick, grayish-blond hair flying. “I wondered about that myself. That trap was set a while ago, late last night or early this morning I’d guess. I’m not even certain whoever set it intended the trap for him. It’s entirely possible whoever’s responsible simply adapted whatever was already here to kill Conryu.”

  Lin’s jaw clenched and he forced himself to relax. This was how it always went at the start of an investigation. He needed to be patient and do the job. “We need more facts and less guesswork. What do you say we go talk to the Carrigton brothers?”

  “Excellent suggestion, Detective. We could sit here and bandy ideas back and forth until nightfall, but that’s not going to get us anywhere.”

  Lin stood and waved to draw Wilbur’s attention. The carnival owner had been pacing and muttering ever since he’d learned the body of his friend was destroyed. Lin didn’t blame him. Finding out the body of someone you’d known for fifteen years had been used in a dark magic ritual would bother anyone.

  Wilbur hustled over. His eyes were red from crying, though he appeared under control for the moment. “You two want to go meet the Carrigton boys?”

  “Exactly right,” Lin said.

  They followed Wilbur toward the far end of the carnival, past empty game booths and silent rides, out to what resembled a trailer park. Tractor trailers were parked beside campers with dozens of rusty pickups mixed in for good measure.

  Wilbur led them to a small camper, maybe fifteen feet long, still hooked behind a pickup that Lin suspected was older than him. The only discernible color in it was rust. The carnival owner walked up to the slightly askew front door and knocked.

  There was no reply or sound from inside. Lin reached for his gun, a twisty feeling in the pit of his stomach.

  “Hey!” Wilbur shouted. “Wake up, you two. The police want to talk to you.”

  Still nothing.

  “Mr. Cullen.” Lin had his pistol out and ready. “Please step away from the door, sir.”

  Wilbur stared at Lin’s gun, his eyes bugging out. “No need for that. Those idiots probably got drunk and passed out on their couch.”

  “Mr. Cullen, please.”

  Wilbur moved aside, shaking his head. When Wilbur had gone fifty feet and taken cover behind a heavy-duty haul trailer, Lin reached for the camper door. Of course it was locked.

  “Let me.” Terra placed her finger on the lock and spoke some words in what Lin assumed was one of the magical languages. The lock popped open and she moved aside. “After you.”

  Lin tugged the door open and went up the two iron steps into the camper. The place was empty unless you counted garbage. It only took a minute to clear the tiny trailer. There was nothing much to see beyond a mountain of empty beer cans, several equally empty whiskey bottles, and wrappers from the concession stands. The Carrigton brothers clearly didn’t live the healthiest lifestyle.

  “It’s clear.”

  Terra hopped up the steps and grimaced. “This day just keeps getting worse. No sign of the brothers?”

  “No. Once we have a look around I’ll have to get a description from Mr. Cullen. I need to call the crime scene guys out here too. I doubt they’ll find anything, but it couldn’t hurt to have them check.” Lin dug a pair of rubber gloves out of his pocket and handed them to Terra. They looked huge on her tiny hands, but at least she wouldn’t leave prints everywhere.

  Lin called for the crime scene unit while Terra looked around. They would be there in twenty minutes, which gave them a little time to try and figure out what happened.

  “Did you find anything?” Lin asked.

  “No. Who lives like this?” She held up a dirty plate with what appeared to be dried cheese on it.

  Lin shrugged. He’d seen worse in a flophouse downtown. “The techs will have a better chance of finding something than us.”

  Lin left the camper. Wilbur was peeking around the corner of the trailer so Lin waved him over. Wilbur rushed to join him. “Are they okay?”

  “I don’t know, but the trailer’s empty. What did the missing men look like?”

  “Oh god, not the boys too. Are we cursed, Detective? My people haven’t hurt anyone. We just try to make a living the best way we know how.”

  “There’s no curse.” Terra came down out of the camper. “I’d sense it if there were. What you have is a serious case of bad luck. Someone has decided to use your carnival for their own evil purposes.”

  “I’m not certain that’s better,” Wilbur said.

  “The description, sir?” Lin asked.

  Wilbur slipped a bottle out of his pocket and took a long pull. “They’re twins, dark hair and eyes, usually in greasy overalls.”

  Terra gasped. “You said they worked on the ride where we found your friend?”

  “That’s right, why?”

  “I guess there’s no easy way to say this. Their bodies were raised as zombies by the same spell that summoned the hounds. We were forced to destroy them as well. I’m very sorry.”

  Wilbur wavered and Lin grabbed him before he fell. “We’re cursed.” He spoke so softly Lin almost didn’t hear him.

  “Will you be okay, sir?” When Wilbur nodded Lin sent the carnival owner on his way.

  “How is he?” Terra asked.

  Lin shook his head. “How do you think? What in the world have we gotten into?”

  Conryu hadn’t been able to sleep, but the shower and clean clothes had done him a world of good. He sprawled on the couch half watching some stupid cartoon. Maria had called an hour ago and said dinner was at seven. Dad sat at the kitchen table reading, content with washing his face and putting on a fresh shirt. Mom, on the other hand, had been fussing in the mirror since he hung up with Maria. You’d think it was dinner at the mayor’s mansion instead of a casual meal with people they’d known their whole lives.

  It was now five of seven and if they didn’t step on it they’d be late. At long last Mom bustled out of the bedroom in a blue dress and pearls, her hair done up with some sort of clamps that looked like they could be used to extract a confession.

  “Are you sure Shizuku wants us to come? We could have hosted them here.”

  “Mom, relax. Mrs. Kane definitely invited us up. There’s probably some magic book or other she wants to show us after we eat.” Conryu clicked the tv off. “We ready?”

  Mom grabbed her purse and the three of them made the short walk to the elevator. When they reached the elaborate penthouse door Conryu knocked. Maria opened it a moment later. The scent of meat and spices wafted out, distracting him from the red kimono she was wearing.

  “Come on in.” Maria stepped aside and motioned them through.

  Conryu went first, pausing to kick his boots off in the little depression just inside the door. Five paces beyond the entryway the apartment opened up into a dining room with a cherry table long enough to seat twenty. Six places had been set with pale plates and a selection of knives and forks. A bottle of red wine sat near the head of the table. A crystal chandelier lit the space and gave it an extra air of opulence.

  “Is that Giovanni’s lasagna I smell?” Conryu asked, his mouth already watering.

  Maria grinned and led them into the dining room. “Sure is. Mom didn’t feel like cooking so we ordered takeout. I assured her you wouldn’t object.”

  “Good call.”

  Mr. Kane emerged from a side door, a bright if somewhat forced smile on his face. It was rare to find him in jeans and t-shirt instead of his usual suit. “Conryu, I trust you’re recovered from your adventure this morning. Connie, you’re looking lovely tonight.”

  Mom scowled at him, prompting a hurried turn to Dad.

  “Sho, always nice to see you.”

  Dad nodded and they shook hands. “Everything under control, Orin? You’re looking a little rough around the edges.”

  “Yes,” Mom said. “What’s being done to make sure my son will be kept safe?”

  Mr. Kane winced. “I have my best wiz
ard investigating. Rest assured she’ll get to the bottom of it. In the meantime, everyone please sit. Shizuku is putting the finishing touches on dinner and by that I mean transferring it from the delivery containers to nice plates. She’ll be along in a moment. Can I offer anyone a drink?”

  Mom took him up on the offer instantly and downed her first glass in three big gulps. Mr. Kane refilled her glass without comment.

  A couple minutes of forced chitchat came to a merciful end when Mrs. Kane emerged from the kitchen with plates full of Italian delicacies drifting behind her. Conryu had trouble deciding whether to focus on Mrs. Kane in her blue-and-gold silk kimono or the food. It was easy to see where Maria got her looks. The food settled on the table.

  “Everyone, dig in,” Mrs. Kane said. “And no business talk until we finish the cookies.”

  Twenty minutes and three helpings later Conryu licked the last of the sauce off his lips, savoring the tangy flavor. “That was awesome, Mrs. Kane. I’d fight shadow hounds every day if it ended with a spread like this.”

  Mom almost choked on her wine. “That wasn’t funny, Conryu.”

  He’d only been partially joking, but decided not to point that out. “Seriously, it was great.”

  “Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Kane gestured and spoke a short phrase in a language he didn’t recognize. The dirty plates floated off, leaving the table clean. “I suppose we’d best get down to business.”

  Mrs. Kane filled them in on everything they’d discovered at the carnival and Mr. Kane chimed in with what Terra and Detective Lin had come up with so far. When they finished Mom was staring in horror and Dad’s eyebrows had drawn together, which was about as expressive as he ever got.

  At last Mom asked, “What does it all mean?”

  “We’re not certain,” Mr. Kane said. “The investigation is ongoing.”

  “So what now?” Conryu asked. “I don’t really want to spend my whole summer vacation locked up.”

  “I’m sorry, Conryu, but until we deal with whoever wants to kill you it’s best if you stay here where it’s safe.” Mr. Kane offered an apologetic shrug. “Please understand it’s not just you that’s at risk. If another attack should happen someplace even more crowded, innocent bystanders might be injured. We must consider their safety as well.”

  That sucked, but Conryu understood his point. He’d have felt awful if anyone at the carnival had gotten hurt by monsters that were after him.

  “There’s another matter to consider,” Mrs. Kane said.

  “There is?” Conryu and his mom spoke at the same moment.

  “Indeed. Your magical education is sorely lacking. The academy is set up with the expectation that all the incoming students will have a certain base level of understanding. That is something you’ll need to acquire in the next eight weeks.”

  “Wait, summer vacation ends in ten weeks, not eight.”

  “For first through twelfth grade it does,” Mrs. Kane said. “But for the academy and all the other colleges school starts early and ends late. Next year you’ll only have six weeks.”

  “Great.” He glanced over at his mother who was positively beaming. “You seem happy all of a sudden.”

  “This is perfect! You’ll be safe inside studying and I won’t have to worry, not with Shizuku’s magic protecting you.”

  “Don’t worry.” Maria took his hand under the table. “I can help you study. A refresher will do me good.”

  “I’d be happy to help as well,” Mrs. Kane said. “Some of the later concepts are complex. I have a job next month that will take me out of town for a week, but other than that I’m at your service.”

  Conryu looked at the smiling faces staring at him and choked back a sigh. Eight weeks of intensely studying a subject he couldn’t care less about followed by four years of more studying it.

  Great.

  5

  Lady Raven

  Orin reached the Department lobby and headed straight for the coffee machine. The secretaries hadn’t arrived yet so he was forced to make a batch for himself. He yawned as the coffee dripped into the pot. At least it would be fresh; Orin seldom got a fresh cup of coffee at work.

  He rolled his shoulders, trying to work the tension out of them. The murders and magical chaos were wearing on him. Not to mention he felt terrible about Conryu being stuck inside for his whole vacation. Maybe he could arrange some guards to watch him during a day trip or something.

  To cap off his mountain of problems he’d promised the Department’s full cooperation to the police commissioner on an early morning call. Not that he had a ton of resources to offer. Despite the name, the Department of Magic only had four wizards on staff and only two of those were especially powerful.

  The attacks had left the city on edge. In addition to keeping him safe, Orin hoped that if Conryu stayed out of sight it would calm the public. The coffee stopped dripping and Orin poured himself a helping in a paper cup.

  “I’ll have one as well.” Terra strolled over. She appeared fully recovered after her adventure at the carnival. Only a slight shadow under her eyes betrayed any weariness.

  Orin handed her his cup and fixed himself another. He’d been so intent on his thoughts he’d never even noticed her come through the door. When they’d both taken a good long drink he asked, “Any news?”

  “Not yet. Detective Chang is working through statements taken from the carnival workers, but who knows how long that will take and nothing may even come of it. There’s nothing left of the spell that summoned the shadow hounds so that’s a dead end. I’m not sure where to go next, Chief.”

  “Let the detective do his work. When he has something I’m sure he’ll let you know. Meanwhile, we have another test to administer. Is Clair in yet?”

  “Her car wasn’t in her spot, but it’s early.” Terra finished her coffee and tossed the cup. “Are you really going to go through with this? I’m telling you she’s not involved with the Society anymore.”

  “I trust you as much as I trust anyone outside my family and I still made you wear the ring. Even if I didn’t harbor doubts about Clair I’d make her do it, just to be safe.”

  “I’m not sure if I should be pleased by the compliment or annoyed by your stubbornness.”

  “Be pleased; your annoyance isn’t going to affect my decision in the least.”

  She finally cracked a smile. “Fair enough. It’s not like you’re treating her any different than the rest of us. I’ll let you know when she gets in.”

  Orin left Terra contemplating a second cup of coffee and headed up to his office. One good thing about getting in early, the halls were quiet.

  “Orin!” a thick Scottish accent called from behind him.

  He turned to find Angus marching toward him. Orin wanted to slam his head into the wall. So much for the quiet. “Let’s go in my office and have a seat, Angus.”

  “Certainly, certainly.” The professor followed Orin into his office and sat in the guest chair. “Is the boy okay? If anything happens to him my work will be ruined.”

  Orin slumped in his leather chair and blew out a sigh. Nice to see Angus had his priorities straight. If he never had to listen to another word about Angus’s precious research it would be a fine thing. “Conryu isn’t hurt and I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear you were concerned. Was there anything else?”

  Angus stared off into the middle distance. “It’s the Aegis of Merlin. The great wizard’s spirit is protecting his successor. This is more proof of my theory. Just watch, Orin. I’ll be vindicated and all those who laughed at me will have to eat crow.”

  “If you say so. Now I have work to do.”

  “Oh yes, I remember what I wanted to ask you now. When can I talk to him again?”

  Orin shrugged. “That’s up to him. If Conryu wants to talk to you I don’t care, but I’m not going to order him to.”

  “That’s fine. Maybe I’ll head over to your building later and try my luck.”

  Orin nodded. “Fine, just don’t
make a nuisance of yourself. Conryu’s a good kid, but if he makes up his mind to, he’s more than capable of throwing you out.”

  “I saw his display Saturday. I assure you I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  Angus mercifully took his leave. Too bad he had to foist him off on Conryu, but getting the obsessed professor out of the office for the day would be a relief.

  An hour later Orin was halfway through the weekend reports when Terra poked her head into his office. “She’s here.”

  “Come in.”

  Terra and Clair stepped into his office and stood in front of his desk. Orin knew his wife and Clair had their differences, but he tried not to let it influence him.

  “You wanted to see me, sir?” Clair adjusted her badge then tucked her hands inside her sleeves.

  Orin took the ring of compulsion out of a locked drawer in his desk and held it up. “Everyone that knew about Conryu’s press conference has been cleared of involvement in the attack except you. Put the ring on and state that you had nothing to do with the attack on Conryu.”

  “Is this because of my history?” Clair asked. “I assure you I haven’t had anything to do with the Society since I graduated.”

  “Everyone did it, me included. I have to be sure, Clair. It’s not personal.” Orin slid the ring across his desk to her.

  Clair looked at Terra, who nodded. She slipped the ring on. “I had nothing to do with the attack on Conryu Koda. I haven’t been in contact with the Le Fay Society since I graduated from the academy.”

  Orin nodded, surprised and pleased that he was wrong about Clair. She took the ring off and handed it to him. “Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t have anything to do with it. Unfortunately, now I have no idea who might have been behind the attempted murder.”

  “Oh, god.” Clair’s hand went to her mouth. “There’s one other person who might have known.”